Empty Promises

~chapter three~

Detective Harris knew he needed to tread carefully but was determined to dig deeper into Neve's story. He planned to start by reviewing the surveillance footage from the area around Mia's apartment on the night of the disappearance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Neve or any unusual activity. He also intended to re-interview Mia's friends and acquaintances, looking for any inconsistencies or additional details that might shed light on the nature of her relationship with Neve. Additionally, Harris decided to discreetly monitor Neve's movements and communications, watching for any signs of nervous behavior or attempts to cover her tracks. He was convinced that the key to solving the case lay in uncovering the secrets Neve was so desperately trying to hide.

Detective Harris sat at his desk, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. He couldn't shake the feeling that Neve was hiding something. Her nervous demeanor, the way her hands trembled, and her hesitant answers all pointed to a deeper truth. He knew he had to dig deeper.

He started by reviewing the surveillance footage from the area around Mia's apartment on the night of her disappearance. Hours of grainy video played on his screen, but Harris was patient. His eyes scanned every frame, looking for any sign of Neve or unusual activity. Finally, he spotted her. Neve's figure appeared on the screen, her movements hurried and anxious. She glanced over her shoulder repeatedly, as if fearing someone was watching.

Harris paused the video, leaning in closer. There was something in her expression, a mix of fear and determination. He made a note of the time and location, planning to cross-reference it with other evidence.

Next, he decided to re-interview Mia's friends and acquaintances. He needed to understand the nature of Mia and Neve's relationship better. As he spoke to them, a pattern began to emerge. Mia and Neve had been close, but their friendship had recently become strained. There were whispers of arguments and secrets, of things left unsaid.

Harris's instincts told him that the key to solving the case lay in uncovering these secrets. He discreetly began to monitor Neve's movements and communications, watching for any signs of nervous behavior or attempts to cover her tracks. He knew it was a delicate balance; he had to be careful not to tip her off.

One evening, as he was going through his notes, a thought struck him. What if Neve wasn't acting alone? What if there was someone else involved, someone who had a motive to harm Mia? The idea sent a shiver down his spine. He needed to explore this angle further.

Harris decided to pay another visit to the café where Neve had been seen. He wanted to speak to Ryan, the worker who had interacted with her. Maybe Ryan had noticed something, a detail that could help piece together the puzzle.

As he walked into the café, the familiar aroma of coffee greeted him. Ryan was behind the counter, his eyes widening slightly as he recognized the detective. Harris approached him, offering a friendly smile.

"Good evening, Ryan. I was hoping we could have a chat about Neve," Harris said, his tone casual but probing.

Ryan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Of course, Detective. What do you need to know?"

Harris leaned in, his eyes locking onto Ryan's. "Anything you can tell me about her behavior, anything unusual you might have noticed. It could be crucial."

Ryan hesitated for a moment, then began to speak. As he recounted his interactions with Neve, Harris listened intently, every word adding another piece to the intricate puzzle. He could feel the threads of the mystery slowly unraveling, each clue bringing him closer to the truth.

Detective Harris listened intently as Ryan recounted his interactions with Neve. The young man seemed genuinely concerned for her, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and worry.

"She seemed really troubled," Ryan said, his voice thoughtful. "The last time she was here, she was flustered and left without paying. I tried to offer her help, but she just brushed it off and hurried out."

Harris nodded, making a mental note of Ryan's observations. "Did she mention anything specific? Anything about Mia or their relationship?"

Ryan shook his head. "No, she didn't say much. But there was something in her eyes, like she was carrying a heavy burden."

Harris thanked Ryan for his time and left the café, his mind racing with possibilities. He needed to dig deeper into Neve's life, to uncover the secrets she was hiding. He decided to pay a visit to Neve's apartment, hoping to find any clues that might shed light on her connection to Mia's disappearance.

As he approached the building, Harris felt a sense of anticipation. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, Neve answered. Her eyes widened in surprise, and he could see the anxiety etched on her face.

"Detective Harris," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "What brings you here?"

"I just have a few more questions, Neve," Harris replied, his tone calm and reassuring. "May I come in?"

Neve hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let him in. The apartment was small and tidy, but there was an air of tension that hung in the room. Harris took a seat, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of distress.

"Neve, I need you to be honest with me," Harris began, his gaze steady. "Is there anything you're not telling me about Mia's disappearance?"

Neve's hands trembled as she clasped them together. "I... I don't know what you mean, Detective. I've told you everything I know."

Harris leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm. "I understand this is difficult, but the more you can share, the better chance we have of finding Mia. Is there anything, no matter how small, that you might have overlooked?"

Neve's eyes filled with tears, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It was supposed to be a simple conversation, but things got out of hand."

Harris's heart raced as he sensed a breakthrough. "What do you mean, Neve? What happened that night?"

She took a deep breath, her voice shaking as she spoke. "Mia and I had a disagreement. It turned into an argument, and before I knew it, she was on the ground. I panicked, and I didn't know what to do."

Harris's mind raced with questions, but he kept his voice calm. "Neve, did you hurt Mia?"

Neve's eyes widened in horror, and she shook her head vehemently. "No, I swear I didn't mean to. It was an accident. I just wanted to talk, to clear the air."

Harris nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I believe you, Neve. But we need to find Mia and make sure she's safe. Can you show me where this happened?"

Neve hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I'll show you."

As they left the apartment, Harris felt a sense of urgency. He knew they were getting closer to the truth, but there were still pieces of the puzzle missing. He hoped that by retracing Neve's steps, they could uncover the clues needed to find Mia and bring her home safely.